March 6, 2006 - Seattle, Wash. - Global architectural firm Burt Hill is at the forefront of VoIP deployments with its utilization of an SSL VPN solution to secure its remote VoIP network. The firm is featured in the March 2006 issue of Communication News magazine (www.comnews.com/stories/articles/0306/0306ssl_vpn.htm) as a model of how companies can successfully adapt to an increasingly mobile work force by providing secure communications for both voice and data.

While many companies are moving to VoIP as a replacement for traditional phone systems within the enterprise, Burt Hill has deployed VoIP for communication both inside and outside the firewall, according to the article. The company saw this as another way to leverage its SSL VPN solution. Using the VoIP solution with the SSL VPN gives employees a "virtual secure office" for all data and voice applications.

"Our ultimate vision as a company is to create one contiguous organization and share resources fluidly across the entire organization, irrespective of location or geography, which required strong standards and communication capabilities," said Mark Dietrick, Burt Hill CIO, in the Communication News article.

Burt Hill's 500 employees are spread out among seven North American and international locations. Its architects and customer-support teams work at building sites and client premises frequently, but need to be able to access all data and communicate easily and quickly with colleagues and partners.

Burt Hill worked with its strategic IT partner, synergIT ( www.synergit.com ), a systems integrator and consultancy, to implement the VPN solution and streamline all communications using an IP telephony backbone. It also standardized on Cisco technology, using Cisco IP Telephony, as well as updating its overall networking infrastructure with new Cisco routers and switches to maximize the VoIP performance. The one exception to this was the SSL VPN, which is from Aventail ( www.aventail.com ). Aventail's remote access platform includes an SSL-based Layer 3 connection that enables secure VoIP transmission and bi-directional policy control.

"The network, the IP telephony solution, and the VPN work hand-in-hand to optimize performance, reliability, and around-the-clock communication between all Burt Hill employees, its customers, and consultants," explained Steve Wirth, president and CEO of synergIT. "I think this integrated voice and data infrastructure is a perfect model for any enterprise that is looking to streamline its network and provide all users with a way to quickly and easily communicate and share information around the globe."

Burt Hill estimates a conservative return on investment of 12 months for the VoIP and SSL VPN deployment.

About Burt Hill ( www.burthill.com )
Burt Hill is recognized as an innovative leader in designing integrated solutions. Operating from six locations in the U.S. and one abroad, Burt Hill's more than 500 professionals offer architecture, engineering, interior design, landscape architecture, and master planning services with a particular focus on sustainable design, technology integration, and energy management. By providing expertise and exceptional service, its talented professionals meet the business needs of clients in the higher education, sciences, healthcare, corporate, and commercial sectors. The firm is owned by over 120 employee-shareholders, who each have a stake in our clients' satisfaction.

About Aventail
Aventail is the best-of-breed SSL VPN technology company and the authority on secure application access technology. Aventail delivered the first SSL VPN solution in 1997, and today, Aventail meets the secure communication needs of more than two million end users globally. Aventail's family of Smart Technology SSL VPN appliances increases productivity for end users and IT professionals, while maximizing security and lowering costs. Aventail SSL VPNs lead the industry in End Point Control, policy management, and transparent, easy-to-use access options to the broadest range of applications. Aventail is the SSL VPN of choice among leading enterprises and service providers worldwide, such as AT&T, DuPont, IBM Global Services, MCI, Netifice, Office Depot, Sanyo, and TNT. For more information, go to www.aventail.com .

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